Punjab CM visits Chotta Ghalughara Memorial

Kahnuwan Chamb (Gurdaspur), September 1, 2013: To eulogize the unprecedented sacrifice of several unsung martyrs of Chotta Ghalughara, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to organise an annual national function at the memorial of small holocaust to perpetuate the legacy of this rarest of rare incident of valor in the annals of Sikh history on the world canvas.

Interacting with the officers during his visit to the memorial here today, the Chief Minister said that this function would highlight the countless sacrifices made by the martyrs at this place on the day of holocaust adding that it would be a befitting tribute to the great unsung heroes, who had laid down their life for the cause of nation. He said dignitaries from across the globe would be invited to this place to apprise them about the rich past of Punjab. He also asked the officers to equip this monument with ultra modern techniques so as to acquaint the visitors about the rich history of this place. 

The Chief Minister further said that there was no dearth of funds to develop this memorial further by judiciously utilizing the vacant land for picturesque landscaping and plantation of the trees besides perpetuating the rich sacrifices made by the martyrs through paintings in the galleries of buildings. He said that the green belt in the memorial must be aptly developed on the lines of the ‘Shalimar Garden’ in Kashmir so that more and more people could be attracted towards this sacred place. Underscoring the need for showcasing the rich legacy of this place through light and sound show, documentaries and even plays by eminent artists in the buildings, Badal said that the tourism department of the state was working towards these projects, which would be soon started at this place.

The Chief Minister also said that soon the literature in the form of small booklets would be made available at this memorial so that the younger generations could be made aware about the countless sacrifices made by the people at this sacred place. He also asked the officers to make the appropriate sitting arrangements for the visitors coming to place so as to facilitate them. After touring the memorial, Badal also directed the officers to ensure the proper upkeep of this monument in a devoted manner so as to preserve it in a befitting manner. He also said that any dereliction on the part of the concerned officials/ officers in this task would not be tolerated at any cost.

The Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur Dr. Abhinav Trikha informed the Chief Minister that around 100-150 visitors were visiting the place every day adding that the number touched the mark of 500-600 at the weekend or sacred days. He also apprised Badal that a cafeteria would be opened soon at this place to provide refreshment to the visitors coming to this place. 

Meanwhile the Chief Minister also gave his comment on the visitor book of the place. ‘After the opening ceremony I have come here to pay my tributes to this holy place where record sacrifices have been made. I salute this place’ wrote Badal.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by former Minister Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan and his Special Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.